Slot machine enthusiasts often seek out games with the highest return-to-player (RTP) percentages under the assumption that they offer better odds and payouts. However, the reality is more nuanced. While RTP indicates how much a slot pays back over an extended period of play, it does not reveal anything about the frequency or size of individual wins. Simply put, a 95% RTP does not guarantee bigger jackpots compared to a 94% RTP game.

To understand why, we need to explore what return-to-player actually measures, how it relates to the programmed payback percentage, and examine other factors that determine payouts.

What Is Return-to-Player (RTP)?

RTP expressed as a percentage, indicates the theoretical amount a slot machine pays back to players over a long stretch of spins. Across major global jurisdictions, slots must return a minimum of 75% to 95% of the money wagered. If a game has a 95% RTP, it will – in theory – pay out $95 for every $100 inserted, leaving the casino with a $5 profit.

The key term here is theoretical. While an individual player may win big or lose everything in one session over millions and billions of spins, the slot’s payback percentage will eventually converge with its advertised RTP. Of course, no one player gets to spin millions of times. Just choose a legit casino like LuckyOnes and play slot machines with peace of mind.

How RTP Relates to Payback Percentage

RTP and payback percentage refer to the same number – the programmed theoretical payout rate. The only difference is perspective:

• RTP conveys the player’s expected return on bets.
• The payback percentage describes the operator’s revenue.

If the RTP is 92.42%, the payback is 92.42%, and the house edge is 7.58%.

Factors That Determine Slot Payouts

While RTP indicates overall payback, several other key factors influence individual payout size and frequency:

Hit Frequency

This tells how often a slot pays out – though not how much. A game with a 20% hit frequency pays out, on average, one in every five spins. Games with higher hit frequencies deliver more lower-value wins.

Volatility

Also called variance, this signifies how much risk and unpredictability are built into a slot’s payouts.

• Low volatility means smaller wins come around more often.
• Highly volatile slots have fewer but potentially bigger wins with more risk. Even with the same RTP, a volatile game pays less overall in the short run but could deliver huge payouts.

Here, both games have a 95% RTP. But Game A’s higher hit frequency and lower volatility mean lower risk for players in exchange for more modest payouts. Meanwhile, Game B, despite having the same RTP, delivers bigger but less frequent payouts with higher risk.

Jackpot Size

Some slots are linked to pooled progressive jackpots that pay life-changing sums. Though extremely rare, they do alter the payout potential. Of course, RTP and hit frequency remain the same with or without a jackpot chance.

Bet Level & Payline Number

Your selected bet and paylines also impact payouts. If you play more paylines at higher stakes, you spend more per spin but boost your maximum possible payouts. Note that the RTP itself does not change based on bet size.

RTP Is Not the Only Factor

While crucial for comparing slot payback percentages, RTP does not determine the timing or size of individual payouts.

Volatility, hit frequency, bet level, and jackpot size all play key roles. A slot with 95% RTP is not guaranteed to pay out more often or deliver bigger wins than a 93% RTP game. Across millions of spins, the numbers bear out – but in a short session, anything can happen!

RTP Is Not Everything

Slot machines with higher RTP percentages seem alluring to players seeking better payout potential. However, return-to-player merely indicates theoretical payback across an infinite number of spins. Many other factors influence the timing and size of individual payouts during actual gameplay.

While helpful for comparing slots, RTP does not determine the frequency of payouts nor guarantee bigger jackpots by itself. Volatility, hit frequency, bet sizes, payline counts, and pooled progressives all alter realities on the ground. Two games with a 2% RTP difference may exhibit radically different payout behaviors in the short run.

So, by all means, seek out slots with higher RTPs when possible. However, temper expectations, as a 95% RTP slot may not outpay a 90% RTP rival over a short session in practice. Randomness reigns in the casino. As long as you gamble responsibly at trustworthy sites, RTP is but one facet among many dictating excitement at the machines!